Tested by Fire by David Costa (brene brown rising strong .txt) 📕

‘Good, I’ve been thinking. Sean and I’ll stay in the Radisson Hotel at the airport. Sean, you can park the van in one of the carparks near Terminal Three, then meet up with me at the Radisson. I’ll book a twin room in the name of Mary Scott as they might be looking for Karen Webb already. Small hotels outside the city are unlikely to ask for identification so I should be all right as we will stay there until Tuesday. Waheed and Imtaz will stay here until Wednesday and move to the target area early that morning. Mohammad, you can drop me off at the hotel and meet up with me and Sean at the apartment block at 6pm on Tuesday. Sean and I will stay in the apartment until the operation is over. Mohammad, you’ll be in the Midland Hotel to give us the signal that the target is on the move, this will give Sean the few seconds he’ll need. Sean, your van will be swallowed up in the airport carpark; it couldn’t be in a safer spot. On Tuesday, we can move from the hotel to the NCP near the apartment and leave it there for the duration of the operation. Do you have some sort of carry case for the rifle that won’t stand out?’

‘Of course. The rifle has been broken down to fit into a small sports bag. I can assemble it quickly and it’s already zeroed to my own specifications.’

‘Good,’ she replied. ‘Now you can bring in the Semtex for Waheed and Imtaz to get to work on their side of the operation.’

Chapter Thirty-seven

Before picking up Mary, Reece had called Broad and brought him up to speed. Reece let Broad know of his concerns of interference by Lockwood. Because the operation was on British soil Reece felt the dangers posed by what he knew was normally a very proficient Police and Security service.

‘I think I’ll have to come up there if just to keep the likes of this Lockwood in check. He’s been complaining to his Chief Constable, who’s beginning to feel the pressure from him.’

‘What’s he doing?’

‘He’s asking for his ass to be covered in writing from the Prime Minister’s office. How we want this to end is supposed to be Top Secret and I can see this idiot mouthing off to the press.’

‘Idiot is the right word for him. He doesn’t have a clue who we are or who he’s dealing with here. He’s a desk jockey jobsworth and to tell you the truth, I don’t need his interference now that we’re getting closer to Costello and his crew. We’ll need police boots on the ground eventually, but until then, I want Lockwood to help without question when I ask them.’

‘I’ll be up there tonight. The Chief Constable and Mr Lockwood will be told where they stand. In the meantime, let him know in no uncertain terms that you’re in charge and he will do as he’s told. They can be replaced if needs be. See you later.’

‘Let me know when you get here.’

Reece felt a little better knowing Broad had his back.

He waited in reception for Mary. When she came out of the lift her smile cheered up his day as always.

‘What’s up?’ she asked.

Reece filled her in as they walked to the Range Rover.

‘Hilton Hotel eh, a bit more upmarket from Newry.’

‘Yes, but where is he now? We’re going to check over the CCTV at our base location. That’s why I want you there to have a look yourself. I also think it would be safer, being close to the team instead of out there on your own.’

‘Where you lead, Joseph, I’ll follow.’

There it was again, he thought, that smile that reached her eyes. Those dark brown eyes that seemed to see into his soul…his thoughts.

‘Don’t worry about booking out just yet, you might be here a little longer than I expected.’

‘Again, I’m at your disposal. I’m not expected anywhere else, so let’s go.’

As Reece drove to Barton, he watched her as she looked out at the passing shops, restaurants, streets, and cars.

‘What are you thinking?’ he asked.

‘Thinking, now that’s a question I don’t hear every day. Not many people, especially the men in my life are interested in what I’m thinking.’

‘Well, I don’t know about the other men in your life, but I’m interested, right now I’m interested.’

‘I’m thinking, what am I doing here and what brought me to this place and time? Then I answer my own questions. I remember when I met you, I didn’t know who you were at first, but I knew I wanted to get to know you. I wanted to get closer to you. Now I’m sitting beside you, driving through Manchester at night and I’m thinking despite everything, I’m exactly where I want to be. What about you? What are you thinking?’

‘To be honest, I’m trying hard to keep my mind on the job at hand but you’re making it very difficult for me.’

‘I don’t mean to.’

‘I mean difficult in a nice way. It’s the kind of difficult I could live with every day.’

‘I’m sorry, I don’t understand. I’m not sure what you mean?’

He pulled the Range Rover into the carpark of a pub just outside Barton.

‘Why are you stopping? I thought we were going to your base?’

‘I need a drink and so do you.’

The bar was surprisingly busy, maybe because it was serving food as well, but they were able to find a table all to themselves. A whisky and soda for him and a glass of pinot grigio for her.

‘The only Irish they have is Jameson’s, my favourite is Bushmills but these English bars never seem to stock it or rarely if ever. Did you know that Bushmills Whiskey